photo by: Ashley Hales Photography

2/3/23- Stafford has not started echoing yet. However, he has no issue communicating his likes and dislikes with a scream or grunt! He also points with purpose, directing our attention to whatever he needs.

2/27/23- Stafford is starting to mimic behaviors more and I’ve noticed that he is watching my mouth when I speak. He tries to say what I’m saying but he is still having a hard time . It’s coming ! The desire is there !!!

3/15/23- Stafford has really started to show us what he enjoys! He has a new love for books! (Especially books about sea creatures)

He is also showing interest in speech, watching my mouth intently to try to figure out how I’m forming word. I have a feeling we will be hearing some words from him soon!!!

Below is an update from his teacher! 🙌🏻

3/17/23- Message from his teacher!! 🙏

4/11/23 – Stafford echoed “ Da Da” (In exchange for a gummy vitamin) He echoed me 3 times! 🙌🏻 Hopefully I can get it on video soon! Stay tuned!!!

4/12/23- Jon got the boys going!! They love their daddy 🥰

4/24/23 Stafford had a new word for us today 🥰!

5/14/23- Stafford said a new word today!! When I got home from work I went to get something from the garage. Stafford saw me open the door and he immediately ran over. He pushed me back and as he closed the door he said “stay”!! It wasn’t perfectly clear but it was said with purpose! It was so sweet!!! What an amazing Mother’s Day gift!

5/15/23- Stafford’s speech therapist has been introducing Stafford to assistive technology!! He is really picking it up quickly and we hope this will be a tool he can use to help him communicate!

6/1/23 Starting the month with a new word!!!

7/23/23- Stafford loves his daddy 🥰

7/29/23- “set go”!!! Trying so hard for daddy 🥰

8/9/23- Stafford was approved for an AAC device! This is a video of him receiving the fruit he requested on his device 🥰 So excited for Stafford to have a way to communicate

8/10/23- Stafford decided that he wanted a classmates snack so he selected the snack (gold fish) on the snack screen on her device and took her snack. I guess at least he warned her ?! 😬🙈 The boys are on a gluten free diet, but since he selected it on her screen, he was allowed to have some.

9/6/23- Stafford has to be highly motivated to share his voice with us! Ps- He loves turtles, especially sea turtles 🐢!

10/9/23- Stafford, say “cheese” 🥰😭

11/7/23- Stafford brought me an orange to peel so I showed him where the “orange” button is on his AAC device.. then he proceeds to show me where the button is for the color “orange”. 😂 He is too smart ❤️

11/20/23- Highly motivated by mini cupcakes 🧁. Just like his momma 😂

12/23/23

Stafford definitely has his favorite words on his device. That smile 🥰

2/8/24- Stafford has been echoing a few words more often lately (snack, mama, dada, sissy). This afternoon he blew me away when he said his first sentence!! Ms Anna (SLP) was showing him the button on his AAC device for “yes I do” and he just said it!!! “Yes I do”. Our jaws dropped as we both exclaimed “oh my goodness”!!!! So proud of my sweet boy. ❤️ God is good!

3/23/24

Stafford is working hard this morning to get me to blow up a balloon! 🙌🏻 He is really trying to use his voice lately!

3/25/24- Stafford using his AAC device with Ms Anna. He works the hardest for her 🥰

5/15/24- Stafford is so smart and knows so much! Can’t wait until he can share all he knows!

5/30/24- He knows his letters!

7/14/24- Stafford riding a horse at Wings of Eagles!

9/21/24 “pumpkin” 🥰

10/22/24 Using his AAC device to tell us where he wants to go! ❤️🐎

12/24/24 Sissy getting Stafford to say “Santa” 😂

1/18/25- I love when Stafford tries to say words. I can tell it is hard but I’m so proud of him. He is such a smart boy!

9/22/25- Stafford singing 🥰